Contents

As with Paris itself, the 6th Arrondissement is hard to write about without using superlatives. There's a bit of everything here, from the busy sidewalks of Paris' main art Gallery scene to the expansive green spaces and under-tree cafés of the Jardin du Luxembourg, from the huddle of kebab joints around Place St. Michel to some of the finest restaurants in the world, the 6th has it all. Though, if you stay in the 6th perhaps you do risk not seeing much else of Paris.

Get in

By Métro

Line 4 runs north-south through the 6th, connecting with the 18th, 9th, 2nd, 1st, and 14th. If you're arriving from central France or the Loire valley you'll probably connect at Gare Montparnasse.

By RER

Line B of the RER runs through Luxembourg, right next to the Luxembourg garden and close to the Panthéon.

By bus

Line 27, 89, 67, 83 run through

See

Landmarks

Jardin du Luxembourg, the Luxembourg garden

Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 3 place St-Germain-des-Prés (Métro: St-Germain-des-Prés). Open Daily 8.00AM - 7.30PM. The oldest church in Paris, founded in the year 542 by King Childebert. The church as it exists today dates mainly from the 11th century, the period in which it became the center of a powerful Benedictine abbey. The Revolution witnessed the suppression of the abbey in 1794, when most of the monastic buildings were put to the torch. Earlier, 318 priests had been hacked to death nearby by a mob on 3 September 1792. The church underwent significant restoration in the 19th century, ensuring the preservation of the building, which by that date represented a fascinating mix of styles: 6th century marble columns placed alongside Gothic vaults and supported by Romanesque arches. Famous burials within the church include René Descartes (philosopher), Nicolas Boileau (poet) and King John Casimir of Poland, who later became abbot of the church's monastery in 1669.

Palais du Luxembourg, 15 rue de Vaugirard (Métro Odéon or Mabillon), ☎+33 1 44 54 19 49, [1]. 10:30AM to 2:30PM. Visitable only by reservation and then only one Saturday every month. A richly decorated palace built for Marie de Medici in the early 17th century, currently the French Senate. For those interested in seeing a Parisian monument normally unavailable to the public, or for those interested in the inner workings of the French Government. The large Luxembourg Garden is open to the public year-round.free.

Museums and Galleries

Musée national Eugène Delacroix, 6 rue de Fürstenberg (Métro: St-Germain-des-Prés or Mabillon), [2]. Open Daily except Mon, 9.30AM - 5PM (office closes 4.30pm), closed Christmas, New Year and the 1st of May. Home and studio of the great Romantic painter from 1857 until his death in 1863, features works by the artist and exhibitions of his contemporaries' work€5 discounts available, under-18s free.

Do

Buy

Citypharma, 26 Rue de Four (Metro: St. Germain des Près). Cosmetic products of famous brands like "Vichy" and "La Roche" can be bought cheaper here.

Cacao et Chocolat, 29, rue de Buci (Métro: Mabillon or Saint Germain des Près), ☎+33 1 46 33 77 63 (fax: +33 1 46 33 80 29), [3]. Open 7 days per week from 10.30 am to 2 pm and 3 pm to 7.30 pm. An upscale chocolate boutique, the C&C also offers yummy hot chocolate to go. Another possibly more interesting way to warm up is the square of bitter 100% cacao with a glass of cognac.A whole bar of 77% Cacao is a bit pricey at €5, but a cup of hot chocolate is only €3.

Eat

Rent a toy sail-boat in the Jardin du Luxembourg

Budget

The stretch of rue Vavin between rue Notre Dame and rue d'Assas (right before Jardin du Luxembourg) is filled with cheap eats that students frequent, such as a bakery with a dirt-cheap formule and a Wokbar. You can also find an outlet from the famous Amorino gelato chain here.

Yugaraj, 14 Rue Dauphine (Metro: Pont-Neuf or Odeon), ☎+33 1 43 26 44 91. Around 40€/person.. A mostly northern Indian carte with lots of Vegetarian options. It seems a popular restaurant so be sure to book in advance if you are going in a large group.

Le Timbre, 3 rue Sainte Beuve. It's pretty much a two-person operation: chef Christopher Wright and a waitress. There is no carte, so be prepared to have the menu. Reviewers who accept this prospect are universally unreserved in their praise.€33.

Les Bouquinistes, 53 quai des Grands-Augustins, ☎+33 1 43 25 45 94, [9]. A favorite among the many art dealers in the neighborhood, and a respected platform for up-and-coming chef Magdala de Beaulieu-Caussimon.

Drink

Cafés

The 6th has two of Paris' most famous cafés, side by side - both are more expensive than your average café (you're paying for the history and the location, not for extraordinary fare or service....):

Café de Flore, 172 boulevard Saint Germain (Métro: St-Germain-de-Prés), ☎+33 1 45 48 55 26, [10]. open daily 7 am - 1.30 am. This café is famous as the favored coffee and smoking venue for the Surrealists during the 1920s and '30s, the Existentialists in the 1940s and '50s, and still attracts an artistic / literati crowd.... Also does breakfasts and light meals.

Bars

A Bouquiniste stall

10 Bar International, 10, rue de l'Odéon (Métro: Odeon), ☎+33 1 43 26 66 83. If you're looking to be lured into a classic Parisian hole-in-the-wall by the sound of accordion music, you should spend a few hours of your evening here. An artsy den with requisite nudie collage, their sangria is just right.A glass of wine will cost you about €3..

Le Clos Medicis, 56 rue Monsieur-Le-Prince (Métro: Odéon or Luxembourg), ☎+33 1 43 29 10 80 (mailto:message@closmedicis.com, fax: +33 1 43 54 26 90), [15]. This charming little hotel is only steps from the Jardin du Luxembourg and has air-conditioning in every room, and a very cozy - and usually empty - bar in the lobby in which to wind down after a day of exploring, if you and your travelling companions need some quiet time. The helpful staff speaks English readily (some even as a first language), and the usual continental breakfast is served in the lovely (but tiny) courtyard every morning from 7am - 11am.Rooms start at €120..

Hotel des Saints Pères***, [17]. Historical hotel with a typically left bank atmosphere, close to shops and cafés.

Splurge

The Palais de Luxembourg (the French Senate)

Hôtel Au Manoir Saint Germain des Prés, 153 Boulevard Saint Germain, [18]. Located just in front of the Cafe de Flore and Aux Deux Magots offering guests a view over these two cafés and the Church of SaintGermain des Prés. Refurbished in 2008.Rooms from 170 euros..

l'Hôtel, Rue des Beaux-Arts. This hotel is beautiful inside, with baroque and modern rooms. There is a hamam style pool and sauna in the basement which can be reserved for clients of the hotel, and the restaurant is good too. Oscar Wilde lived and died here.Rooms from 300 euros..

Victoria Palace Hotel, 6, Rue Blaise Desgoffe (Metro: Saint Placide or Montparnasse), [19]. An elegant hotel which has been a landmark on the Left Bank since 1913. The 62 rooms and suites combine lavish Louis XVI style and modern facilities. No restaurant but room service and buffet breakfast available.Rooms start at 320 Euro..

Contact

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!